Monica Grabin: Song Lyrics & Clips
Buffalo Skinners notes & lyrics
(traditional)
Graphically tells the story of the slaughter of the buffalo that went on after the Civil War. Government policy called for wiping out the vast herds in order to deprive the Indians of means of survival and to make way for the railroads. The song was originally a complaint about recruitment and conditions in lumber camps, called "Canada-i-o." It moved west with the settlers and became a different, more gripping, story.
It was in the town of Jacksboro, in the year of '73,
That a man by the name of Creego came steppin' up to me,
Sayin' "How do you do young feller, and how'd you like to go,
And spend the summer pleasant, on the range of the buffalo?"
Well, me being out of employment, I told Creego I did say,
"This going out on the buffalo range depends upon the pay,
But if you pay good wages, transportation to and fro,
I think, sir, I might go with you, To the range of the buffalo."
"Oh, yes, we pay good wages, transportation to and fro,
If you spend the summer through on the range of the buffalo.
But if you become homesick and to your sweetheart want to go,
I won't pay transportation from the range of the buffalo."
Well, our outfit being near ready boys, seven able-bodied men.
With many a six and needle gun our travels did begin.
The way it was a pleasant one, the way we had to go,
Until we crossed Pease River, in the range of the buffalo.
Well, now we've crossed Pease River, and our troubles have begun.
The first damn tail I went to rip, that's how I cut my thumb.
The water's salty as hell's fire and the meat we could not go,br />And the Indians waited to pick us off, from the range of the buffalo.
Our hearts were cased with buffalo hocks and our souls were cased with steel.
The perils of that summer, were like to make us reel.
While skinnin' the damned old stinkers, our lives they had no show,
And the Indians waited to pick us off, from the range of the buffalo.
The summer being near over, old Creego he did say
That we all had been extravagant, and were in debt to him that day.
We begged him and we pleaded, but still it was no go;
So we left old Creego's bones to bleach on the range of the buffalo.
Well now we've crossed Pease River and homeward we are bound.
No more in that hell-fire country will ever we be found.
Go home to our wives and sweethearts, and tell others not to go,
For God's forsaken the buffalo range, and the damned old buffalo.